Florida economy blows past hurricanes

A few short months ago, the outlook for Florida's job seekers looked every bit as black as the dark clouds blown in by last year's unprecedented four major hurricanes.

The storms caused billions of dollars of damage to the state's staple industries of tourism and agriculture and put more than 100,000 out of work - spiking an unemployment rate that had been steadily falling since Sept. 11.

But now, after a remarkable economic recovery that has stunned observers by its speed and intensity, the blue skies are back over the Sunshine State. Business is experiencing its biggest boom in at least a quarter century, driven by a state economy that is equipped to rebound from disaster - and that even before the hurricanes had the right combination of elements to flourish.

Consider that Florida:

• Leads the nation in jobs growth.

• Is attracting tourists in record numbers.

• Has one of the hottest real estate construction and sales markets in the country.

• Has just handed its governor a $2.2 billion windfall to spend on tax cuts and services.

"It's just unbelievable," says Frank Ryll, president of the Florida Chamber of Commerce. "Tell me where else in the country this is happening."

Indeed, Florida enjoys a unique set of economic factors. The population flow into the state has been largely undeterred by the hurricanes, as workers, baby boomers, and others bank on the region's warm climate and reasonable cost of living. And this burgeoning population has plenty of economic sectors to buoy it: Everything from tourism to agriculture to high tech is booming in the Florida, as state incentives and relatively low wages attract business to the region.

Of course, other parts of the United States have also experienced devastation from natural disasters, and then a boost from recovery efforts. But the phenomenon taking place in Florida is on a scale larger than most.

Perhaps the most telling statistic is one about employment: Florida has created more than a quarter of a million new jobs since this time last year, a 3.5 percent expansion.

And they're not all roofers brought in to repair hurricane damage, says Warren May, spokesman for the state-run Agency for Workforce Innovation.

"Professional and business services such as banking and insurance have been leading the jobs growth," he says. "Healthcare services are right up there because of Florida's large senior population, and there has been a remarkable turnaround in manufacturing."

The figures bear him out. Florida's unemployment rate in March was running at 4.4 percent, almost one full point behind the national average of 5.2. Of the 262,000 new posts created, more than 110,000 are in professional, education, and health services.

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